Dancing for Joy and Living in Faith
A Word from the Diocesan Bishop of Wau By Rt, Rev, Moses Deng. Trinity - Going Forward Together It is strange how some things affect you. I saw recently a picture of the new tarmac road from Juba to Nimule and I felt pleased. I looked for a long while and as I looked I thought about all the good things this road could do for South Sudan. The road was flat and smooth, very wide so vehicles could pass easily and with clear land on both sides. If you know anything about South Sudan you will know that most roads are really nothing like that at all and that driving a car can be hard in the dry season and impossible in the rainy season. But a tarmac road is something really very different, it is progress and development. The church season that we are in now is called Trinity, the word means a unity of three things. The three things that I mean here are God, who created the universe with you and me in it, Jesus who came as our saviour to pay for our sins and the Holy Spirit who came after Jesus ascended to Heaven at the time of Pentecost. If you do not know about Pentecost you can read about it in the book of Acts chapter 2 from verse 1 to 40. It is an exciting story and marks the foundation of our Christian church that still exists today. So our faith is built on a unity of three things, three Gods in one but only one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I have always found this confusing to explain, because in a world of logic and reason it makes no sense but the God that rules the universe does not always use logic and reason and as St Paul says in 1 Corinthians Chapter 1 verse 18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.� Sometimes God uses faith. The people that I have met who are most at peace with the idea of Trinity simply believe it, they have a faith that is stronger than reason. This does not mean you should not ask questions about faith, no I encourage you always be ready to challenge
Index A Word From The Bishop ....................................2 IDP Food Distribution..........................................5 Clarice, A Passion to Serve the Lord....................7 Leadership Training...........................................10 A Congratulatory Message................................12 Nyieth PHCU Dedication and Opening..............13 Celebrating a Gift...............................................15 Nyieth Primary Health Care Unit.......................16 Area Chiefs Blessing...........................................17 County Government Commits...........................18 NPPR in Wau Diocese........................................20 Adult and Accelerated Learning........................21 Perfecting a Passion...........................................24 Girls Latrine Project...........................................25 A Successful Story..............................................27 Development Project Summaries......................28 Contact Us ........................................................29 Please Pray with us ...........................................30
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what you know and learn some more, education is always very healthy. I am most pleased to say that a short while ago I attended the opening day for a new Primary Health Care Unit at the town of Nyieth in my diocese. I am pleased for several reasons; the first is that just like the tarmac road this is development, things getting better. I am also pleased because people from other countries have helped us to build this to help make our own lives better. I am also pleased because this is a thing that can help everybody, not just one or two. It will help people who are already sick to get better but it can also help prevent people from becoming sick in the first place. It also gives work to qualified people and a reason for people to be qualified too. The day we had at the opening was a great day filled with joy and celebration. You can read about the opening and see pictures in this newsletter. I particularly like the women that danced so well and I am reminded of the phrase in Romans Chapter 12 verse 15 “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” It has always surprised me when I think that in our South Sudanese culture we rely on women for so many important things, such as cooking good food and raising our dear precious children, yet as a society we fail to educate women properly because we don’t think it is worth the trouble. How many women finish their schooling when they are married? This is even true to the point we don’t have proper toilets for girls at schools. It is obvious that we are a country that lacks much but the truth is that people who are poorly educated easily make mistakes that can lead to the spread of disease and sickness, which can kill those we love most. I think this is one of the things that is not helpful for the people exposed to the very dangerous Ebola virus in the West of our continent. Please pray for them in this sad situation. One of my hopes is that the Primary Health Care Unit will be a way of changing the way we see education about health but also education generally. Education should be for everyone and everyone should be encouraged to learn and grow. Really
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it is in the interests of everybody in South Sudan that we should live better lives, not just some but all. Unity is very important. Unity is the hidden bit of Trinity, people always see the three in one part but many miss the unity part. I sometimes think that Trinity should be Tri – Unity, because there is a unity in the three that makes them one. The unity is a bond of love and it is an example to us all. Unity in love is a strength too great to measure. We can read that Jesus said in Mathew chapter 7 verses 9 to 11 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?” Jesus was talking about bad people knowing good from bad so you can see the bond of love is stronger than any evil. As a country we need unity and we need love. We have all seen too much hatred and fear. Since December South Sudan has seen a lot of violence and death, a lot of people have experienced evil things that they will never forget, nor should they. A great deal of shame has come to us for the way South Sudanese people have behaved in other parts of our new country. But if our country is ever going to develop and become a better place we must find a way to forgive this pain. This may sound like too much to ask and sound like it has no reason, people don’t forgive freely and we must never forget but truly when we remember Martyr’s Day, as we did recently, we should challenge ourselves as I mentioned earlier. Did our martyrs die so that we would fight each other, did they die for no good reason, do we disgrace them with our actions? It is important to challenge ourselves or our brothers and sisters who died that we might be free will have sacrificed their lives for nothing. They had a faith that life would be better in a free country, but it is our responsibility to make sure it is. Just like the Apostles in the story of Pentecost we must be bold in our faith and take action in the Holy Spirit. Imagine if President Salva Kiir and former Vice President (now Rebel Leader) Riek Machier could forgive each other now and form a government of national unity. What a statement
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of faith that would be for the future of our young country. It would give everyone hope. Life for everyone in South Sudan should get better, people should be more educated we should be more united as a country and we should work together seeking to promote peace and reconciliation everywhere. As long as we think only of tribes and settle disagreements in violence there will be no progress. Jesus did not teach hatred he taught forgiveness and the life he lived serves as an example for everyone. I urge you to read about him in the Gospels, here some short examples: Mark Chapter5 Verse 2134, Mark Chapter1 Verse 40-45, John9 Verses 1-12, Mathew Chapter8 Verse 5-10, and Mathew Chapter15 Verses 21-28. There was no one that Jesus would not help because his faith in God was so strong. United we can be that strong, united we can be prosperous and have plenty, united we can make a country to be proud of. There is a lot of good that comes from unity and we must learn this. Remember as I said education is a good thing, let us learn together. Together we can promote good health and correct hygiene from the Nyieth Primary Health Care Unit. Healthy people work better and are happier in life. The people around us, especially women and children, will make the future of our country and so I think that we should invest in them as we would invest in a business to make it grow or invest time in caring for crops and animals. This is a solid foundation to build on and just as the great story of faith tells us in Mathew Chapter 7 verse 24 – 27: 24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the
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streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.� The violence we have seen is like the storms in this story but let us hear the words of Jesus and be strong in our faith. In just the same way the Trinity that this great season is named after is a strong foundation that our faith is built on and as we know that faith cannot be shaken and will never fall. The question that we really should ask of ourselves is how will we be part of a firm foundation for the future of South Sudan? The road that I spoke of at the beginning was not made by one person on their own, nor was it an easy task to achieve. It required great skill and many people working together believing that they were doing a good thing. The smooth tarmac requires a firm foundation and great care is needed to do things right so that the road will last. But now that it is done it is a lasting testimony to those who built it and a tool to make life better for anyone that travels on it. I have a small picture of the road and I ask you to think of this as you look at it. Is this just a new road or is it the way forward? Please pray for peace and reconciliation.
Every Blessing +Moses
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Food Distribution in Maanangui IDP camp By Rev Peter Angui Akook
The ECS Diocese of Wau delivered food assistance to the Internally Displaced People living in Maanangui, Gogrial West County but was cut short in reaching Turalei and Aweng IDP camps in Twic County due to the general shortage of food assistance. The initial plan of the diocese was to reach Maanangui, Turalei and Aweng IDP camps with assistance on the assumption that there was going to be enough assistance to cater for temporary shelter, food and medication as well. With the little help that was got through HART, food assistance was brought to the three thousand (3000) IDPs living in Maanangui IDP camp alone. This IDP camp is well organized with active leaders of eleven peoples headed by a woman well known as Alueldit. There were five main groups in the camp of which each group is consisting of six hundred (600) people. The groups were formed in order to avoid any mess and confusion among the IDPs and between IDPs and the host communities in the area. It was also helpful to distribute any assistance peacefully and in a participatory atmosphere. The picture on the right is of the chairperson of the IDP camp in Maanangui. Her name is Alueldit. She presented words of happiness and appreciation on behalf of her group to the
diocesan staff who brought them assistance. She said, �The fact that this food assistance is being brought by the Church is not only mere food but food with blessings in it. Because I believe the Bishop who had been coming to see us since we arrived here with words of encouragement and prayers had prayed over it before bringing it here to us. “ Her appeal to the diocese is to continue praying for them and if God provides, the assistance of mosquito nets and blankets is a vital need at this time of rainy season.
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A table showing the food distributed.
S/No
Item
Weight
Quantity
1
Maize flour
50 kg
60 bags
2
Sorghum
50 kg
65 bags
3
Beans
50 kg
20 bags
4
Salt
10 kg
9 packages
5
Oil
5Litres
16 jerry cans
Our grateful thanks go to HART and Baroness Cox for enabling Wau Diocese to assist the people that have been made homeless by fighting and who came to us for shelter.
Some more images of the food distribution.
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A Passion to Serve the Lord Now By Clarice Achieng Mamer – Wau Diocese Treasurer and Administrative Secretary
For sure my life confirms that God has been passionate to me in all the paths I followed in my life and He has never failed me at any single moment when I trusted him, secondly this is the time that the Church in South Sudan especially the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan needs qualified people who can serve ,Yes! And without good pay. • It is a time of sacrificial service, • A service to rebuild a strong foundation of Christianity in South Sudan, • A service to thank God that South Sudan separated from the North, • A service to help people realize that we are all equal before God despite which tribe we belong to, • A service to re-affirm our faith to God even more since the war, when we have things available which during the war we had none when we prayed more and searched for God more. • A time to get things started right in preparation for the future and to keep up with change. • A time to really commit South Sudan in to God’s hands as the peace that was signed on paper is isn’t evident yet. We truly need God more now than before as differences between brothers and sisters from the same house is worse than differences between a family and another family.
My name is Mrs. Clarice Achieng Mamer, I am a commissioned lay reader. I have been serving the Diocese of Wau as a Treasurer and Finance officer since August 2012. I have also been acting as a Diocesan Administrative Secretary Since October 2012. I was born in Kenya in the currently called Ugenya County in Nyanza Province I was the first born to my parents. I grew up as an only child. I don’t know how my mother looks like physically except in an old black and white photos, my grandmother mentioned that she passed on when I was six months old. I happened to have a chance to know my father who was a teacher and was very strict. He could cain me at anytime if I didn’t get things right in school and whenever I didn’t do my domestic chores such as cleaning, laundry, ironing as he expected the best out of me all the time. He could even raise the standard, that frustrated me and I thought he hated me, eventually he passed on in 1996 while I was in Senior year two. I was lovingly brought up under the mentorship of my late Grandmother called Joyce who
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happened to be my best friend and mentor. A humble, disciplined, firm, generous and loving woman, with her mentorship I became who I am. I received the shocking news of her death while in a guest house in Juba South Sudan while holding my little Joanna who was 7 months old in Jan 2010 on my way to pay a visit to her. My expected visit of Joy turned out to be a sad visit as I had to attend the funeral and that was my darkest moment. After they are all gone today I do understand why my grandmother had a lovely approach to me , she played the role of my mother very well that whenever I felt frustrated for not having a mother she was there to be a perfect guardian who bears qualities more than a mother till she passed on. I also now understand why my father was very strict, I hated his approach especially the discipline but without this I couldn’t be what I am today and I do believe that God knew there were hard times awaiting me in life that needed a strong heart .Through his discipline I overcame lots of difficult moments. Education: • I completed my Secondary school and joined the Kenya Polytechnic in 1999 currently known as the Kenya Polytechnic University to pursue a Diploma in Catering and Accommodation Technology. • After my Diploma I got employed in an NGO Called GOAL Ireland where I started as a housekeeper and was later promoted to be an Admin Assistant. • I enrolled to the Kenya polytechnic for evening and weekend classes for a Fashion Design Course and thereafter a cake making and Decoration Course. • I joined the Kenya Institute of Management in 2006 to pursue a Diploma course in business administration where I attended classes in the evening after work.
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• Through the arrangement of my former employer IRC South Sudan I did a certificate course in human resource management, an online programme. Work Experience • I started as a housekeeper in an NGO called GOAL Ireland in Nairobi between Jan 2004 to September 2005, later I was an Admin Assistant in the same organization from October 2005 to December 2007. • From January 2008 to April 2008 I worked for ALARM-African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries in Gogrial – Warrap state where I was involved in spearheading the setting up of the guesthouse and assisted in administrative duties, I was also involved in women’s activities with special interest to environmental hygiene, personal hygiene and advice on proper food preparation and good nutrition. • From August 2008 I joined IRC (International Rescue Committee) South Sudan in Northern Bar El Ghazal state as a Cashier/Admin Assistant, a position I held for two months and was promoted to be a Finance/Admin Officer. • In November 2009 I was promoted to the position of a Human Resource Manager for Northern Bar El Ghazal Region at the same time carrying out the roles of Finance Officer a position I held till August 2012 when I resigned with an aim of joining the University of Bar El Ghazal and serving the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and the Sudan Wau Diocese in the position of Mothers Union Coordinator. Family: I am married to Rev. Joseph Mamer Manot a Pastor in The Episcopal Church of South Sudan and the Sudan, He was the first principal of St. Johns Theological College in Wau Diocese. The lord has blessed us with two children; Little Joanna is 5 years old while John is 2 years, 3 months
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My likes/Things am passionate of: • I love fashion design and whenever am very tired, sick or weak I will always have time to let the creativity in my heart come out and this makes me better. It’s something I do with all my heart. People who don’t understand that which is in me feel that I am crazy whenever I have to change from one design to another after just a short time. • I love numbers and thus have always enjoyed my work as a finance person even though sometime it’s very crazy when compiling reports. • I like baking and decorating cakes I just feel am complete after I have iced a cake, this get me to see my paradise here on earth. • I love green vegetation. • I love being good to everyone around me even if they are not related to me as long as I feel the Lord speaks to me that I should do so. • I have a passion for girls education, I always have the zeal to have women educated , I started by supporting a cousin when I got my first job, she had conceived after finishing her o level education and the family felt she was useless and couldn’t support her further I accommodated her in my single room that I had rented. As she attended a dressmaking course that lasted for 3yrs whenever I paid her training fees I did it with passion and she now can earn a living, this make me feel blessed and I glorify God. Another cousin I helped opted to get married before finishing her studies now it’s hard for her to support herself. In all these I have learnt that as much as I may wish to support girls and women some will know what they need in life so it’s easy to help them at the same time some may not know exactly what they need in life but are only driven by their peers and cultural practices. Despite which category I have a passion for girls and women so that they are better people in life. So far of the four I have assisted 2 have achieved what can make them earn a living and yet 2 have failed completely because they chose not to
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accept being helped. To me it’s a 50% success and I believe a 50% glory to God, so I will never stop doing good as my aim is hit the 100% mark of doing good. Through Gods help I know I can make it.
My Hard moments: • Being locked out of the examinations because I had not cleared my college fee, and I sincerely couldn’t manage to raise the funds an equivalent of 50US Dollars at that time. • Making a decision to get married to a South Sudanese, the only child to my parents and having been brought up under hard life and difficult moments, yet South Sudan was considered a hardship area. This simply meant from hardship to hardship. My late Grandmother was open with the idea together with a few prayerful friends, many didn’t support the idea. It was Gods will for me, I thank God I obeyed. • The death of my late grandmother who was my buddy • The day I was accused of stealing a slice of bread from a classmates locker and yet I had not tasted any bread for months, I was the poorest in the class amidst pupils from rich families, but I always trusted my early Sunday school message of do not steal. The bitter memories of being an orphan were refreshed. • A close and good friend spreading lies about me that made me useless in the office, the church and the community where I stayed, I wished the world could open up and swallow me. • When I was dropped out of the basketball team in high school when we were to go and represent our school at the national games, this depressed me for many days. My good moments • The day I gave my life to the lord in 1997, I felt power and something changed in my life.
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• Being the best in my designing class at the polytechnic. • When I won a 1200m race when I was in primary 8, I felt like I was in heaven.
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Clarice is a key member of diocesan staff working hard to support and uphold the whole mission of the Diocese of Wau in South Sudan.
• When I was promoted to the manager’s position in IRC and announced as the champion of the month.
Leadership Training in Wau Diocese By Rev Samuel Mabith
This training had been requested by RT Rev Moses Deng Bol, the bishop of Wau diocese, from Development Associates International (DAI) in Uganda which was led to South Sudan by the Rt Rev Alapayo Manynang Bishop of Rumbek. Bishop Moses wanted it to be conducted in Wau diocese because he found it very interesting and he wants all his staff, leaders in different denominations and government leaders of Wau to learn how leadership is done well. When some of these people in different positions came, they were very eager to listen and they wanted to have more time with these people to learn more from them, because it was the first time for some to learn about leadership.
During their teaching they introduced ten qualities, these are: 1. Oh Lord, can I be a leader? This quality teaches that when you want to be a leader, please ask yourself first if you are called to be a leader and follow God’s instructions. Because leadership is a calling from God, just as happened to Moses in the Old Testament. God
called Moses to lead his people of Israel from Egypt to the Promised land.
2. Leader, know thyself. If you are a leader make sure you know yourself. Don’t jump from your called work and move to another position, if you do then you will fail. Because we have four styles of leadership, Designer, Motivator / Influential, Team player and Implementer. If you are called to be among these four leadership styles do your work well.
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3. Power. If you are leader don’t used your powers to mislead people, use them to empower people. 4. Adrift in a sea of change. When your leadership is not effective, walk out from your position and let others continue with the work. If you don’t do that your planning or organization will collapse down. 5. Vision. If you are a leader you must have vision and mission. You must know where to go and what to do. 6. The Right Person in the Right Job. If you are a leader find the right person for the right job by considering the specific skills and gifts of the individual and how well those match the needs of the job opening. Don’t do it because they are your relatives but because they are a good fit with the job. 7. Motivating Individual Excellence and fulfilment. When you employ people make sure they motivated and happy in their work by saying a good word or giving something to them as a gift.
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8. Developing Others. To be a leader brings young people up in leadership by teaching them and developing them in the mind. Without that there will be no nation. 9. Team Building. A leader must involve others to work as team; one hand cannot clap itself unless you join two of them together in unity. 10. Organizational Accountability. If you are a leader make sure bad things will be counted on you as well as good things, but good things are better than bad things.
These ten qualities are very helpful in leadership and in any organization. Brothers and Sisters where ever you are in Government, in Organizations or in Churches let us be God’s leaders in our communities and societies. That is why our bishop and others leaders are putting emphasis on the issue of leadership improvement Bishop Moses would very much like to thank DAI on behalf of Wau Diocese for their excellent training and guidance.
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A Congratulatory Message To: Akon South Payam newly Appointed Administrator, Simon Apet Deng Kon. Christian greetings from the ECSS Diocese of Wau!
We are very extremely thankful to God Almighty who has directed government leadership in appointing you and have you being trusted to assume this responsibility at this critical time of crisis across the nation and we are privileged to welcome you to such a position wholeheartedly and cooperatively. Congratulations!! We would love to register our reminder of your sole responsibility of defending the national mandated constitution and your right to deliver services to our local community. We would be very much appreciative in seeing your leadership cooperating with other locally mandated institutions such as the Church, Education/Schools, Health and Agriculture just to mention but few. Developing our newly born nation needs not only one hand but joint efforts to bring about the
development. To develop a person as a whole needs them to be developed spiritually, mentally, economically and socially and perhaps, that is far beyond control of one institution to mentor them amicably as such. Facilitating various locally mandated institutional forums gearing towards “what they can do for the community and not what the community can do for them” as said former USA President J.F.Kennedy could be the right channel to undertake. Your efforts in taking useful and wise advices for the betterment of our nation building can be of great value and a major contribution to the nation. The ECSS Diocese of Wau congratulates you and wishes you God’s blessings as you commence your duties as a Payam Administrator in Akon South! Best Regards Reverend Peter Angui Akook – Acting Administrative Secretary, Wau
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Nyieth PHCU Dedication Official Opening Ceremony By Rev Peter Angui Akook In building a health system after decades of war, South Sudan was basically “starting everything from zero”, according to Loi Thuou, the director general of medical services. The country had little health infrastructure, equipment, or trained medical providers—and little money for the health sector. In 2011, the government spent about US$9 per person on health care. International non-governmental organizations (NGOs) filled in some gaps, providing more than 80% of the country's available basic health care, which still does not reach most of the population. It has been in the last two years when the Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) in America in partnership with the Anglican Board of Mission (ABM) in Australia funded the Episcopal Church of Sudan (ECS) Provincial Health Commission to accomplish its policy of building the Primary Health Care Unit (PHCU)
points across the Province. The Province has 31 Dioceses plus other newly created Dioceses. The Episcopal Church of Sudan Provincial authority donated one Primary Health Care Unit (PHCU) to the community of Nyieth in Wau Diocese that covers two States of Western Barh el Ghazal and Warrap, the older diocese among the twenty four dioceses. “On 11th October 1976, the ECS received its ecclesiastical independence from Canterbury in the UK. It became a Province with the four Dioceses of Juba, Rumbek, Yambio and Omdurman, that was later changed to Khartoum. In 1986, seven more Dioceses were created as follows: Yei, Kajo-keji, Maridi, Kadugli, Mundri, Bor and Wau”. Bishop Enock Tombe wrote.
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The construction work of this Primary Health Care Unit (PHCU) in Nyieth was contracted to a company known as Gakrialda Co.Ltd that completed the work in one year period but quality work. While the construction was ongoing Sudan Medical Link (SML) in the Diocese of Salisbury, UK committed its assistance of medical supplies in this Primary Health Care Unit (PHCU). The medicines were used in the locally made tukul even before the completion of the concrete building. Upon the successful completion of the construction work, a dedication and official opening ceremony day was set to be on the 15th June, 2014. Both Bishop Moses Deng Bol and the County Commissioner Hon.Makuc Aru Luach arrived on the scheduled day for the function. Bishop Moses addressed the gathering before he prayed over the foundation stone that this health unit does not belong to the individuals but belong to everybody who needs treatment and employment as well when qualified. Bishop Moses also assured the audience of the continued support of the Church in partnership with government in employing trained medical personnel and medical supplies.
Bishop Moses Deng Bol continued to appreciate the generous donation that ERD, ABM and SML has done to help us build and equip the health infrastructure in Wau Diocese in particular.
The dedication on the stone reads as follows: TO THE GLORY OF GOD, NYIETH PHCU WAS DEDICATEDBY RT.REV.MOSES DENG BOL, BISHOP OF WAU DIOCESE AND OFFICIALLY OPENED BY HON.MAKUC ARU LUACH, COMMISSIONER OF GOGRIAL WEST COUNTY, ON THE 15TH JUNE, 2014
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Celebrating a Gift with Ululation and Dancing By Rev Peter Akook Women in and around Nyieth village expressed their deep happiness not only in words but also in dancing immediately after the speeches were over. They stood up and marched in line with uniform and red caps worn by almost everyone. During the
use it like that without proper calculation of the risk that would be a result of dirty water. That is widely seen as a big and total mess for women as their leading role and responsibility in allows water borne disease to invades our bodies.
function, women were presented by Deborah Aliet Akot the head of the Mother’s Union in Nyieth Parish who narrated their being rescued by this health facility. Women believed that they are the victim of any outbreak of disease simply because they don’t have access to health centres for hygiene and sanitation orientation or strong and concrete family planning. In the Dinka culture men are not allowed to be part of the cooking, fetching water, fetching firewood process but only a woman and her daughter does this kind of work while a man and his son are looking after cows. In the language of science, “prevention is better than cure”. Deborah Aliet Akot said that the water we are using is not either boiled or filtered but we
Deborah Aliet Akot urged health staff to prioritize hygiene and sanitation issues and therefore women are the first targeted group in this to be dealt with. She extended her thanks to Bishop Moses Deng Bol and his friend who donated him money to build this health centre in this area. They lastly danced singing a strongly worded song that was composed to explain how well and carefully Bishop Moses Deng Bol had taken care of the cattle during his teenage time in the cattle camp. Bishop Moses Deng Bol was nicknamed to be Deng Majook who never ran away from cattle even if it is raining or even if come what may!
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Nyieth Primary Health Care Unit A Restoring of Peace and Unity Among Communities By Rev Peter Akook This is Bishop Moses Deng Bol explaining to the different communities of the neighbouring counties of Aweil East and Aweil South who happened to be attending this colorful day of the Nyieth Primary Health Care Unit (PHCU) dedication of how the existence of this Primary Health Care Unit (PHCU) would determine its services from now and in the future as well. Bishop Moses said, “first and foremost, I would like to bring to your attention that this area of Nyieth is strategically located for the fact that it is surrounded by the most populated and largest counties of Aweil East to the west and Aweil South of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State to the south. Nevertheless, Nyieth village is at the core and cross border of Gogrial West County, Warrap State with Northern Bahr el Ghazal State. These communities represent the following sections
of Lou Aguer Geng (Aweil East), Ajuong Malong Yor (Aweil East), Akulieec Ngong Apet (Aweil South), Pajok Akol Mawien Wol (Akon North), Awan Ayien Dut Pakak Ayom (Akon South), Mabil Malual Madut Akoon (Akon North), Awan Chan Nyal (Akon South) etc.” Bishop Moses Deng Bol went further back to the history of Pan-Dhal Maker who was brought purposely to this place with the intention of restoring peace and unity between the Aweil and Gogrial communities. With the colonial policy of “divided and rule” there has been long fighting between Aweil and Gogrial communities since then. Until Dhal Maker was asked by the Gogrial community to move in to this place because he is related to Aweil people so that he is seen as a peace - maker in the middle between Aweil and Gogrial people. With the coming
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in of Dhal Maker indeed not only was there the restoration of unity, a peaceful atmosphere took shape and also there was the restoration of lost and broken trust, confidence and relationships among our people. However, during the process of giving speeches many speakers seemed to be suggesting a new name for this new building because of its strategic place at the border. Among these speakers was the newly appointed Payam Administrator Simon Apet Deng Kon who suggested the name could be “Raamda” meaning a “Meeting Place” or “Shared Facility”.
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Bishop Moses Deng Bol in his concluding remarks again thanked those who spoke before him with good words and thoughts upon this Primary Health Care Unit (PHCU). Bishop Moses who strongly believed his professor in the University who told him often “history repeats itself” that the history had repeated itself today. “ In fact the building of this health facility is in reality a way to restore peace, unity, trust, confidence and relationships among these various communities in kind,” concluded Bishop Moses Deng Bol.
Area Chiefs Bless Bishop Moses Deng By Rev Peter Akook The building of a health facility in the area of Nyieth under the leadership of Bishop Moses Deng Bol is seen by the community chiefs who were represented by Michael Malual Dut Akoon and Dut Pakak Ayom as “fortunate, reasonable and a realistic gift”. Michael Malual Dut Akoon, a former Church Council leader who was appointed an area chief in the last three years and was inaugurated in Mabil Boma as an executive chief was asked to represent all the chiefs of Akon North Payam during the function. Malual Dut outlined the three main important points. He first started to congratulate all those who spoke or aired out their thoughts and wisdom before him that our usual treatment expenses would be reduced to the minimum except the referral issues only. He urged Bishop Moses Deng Bol to underwrite the following issues: 1) Water Points: There are no safe and clean drinking water sources all over our rural communities. Water-borne diseases can be
properly addressed once there are safe and clean drinking water sources. All the water sources we have now at hand are all accessible to every kind of animals and can be polluted easily. 2) Job Opportunities: The chief also reiterated the issue of creating a peaceful space where our young people can be given chance to take job opportunities as their place of employment. Most
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of the conflicts we have had are the real cause or results of lack of jobs around the nearby area. 3) Sponsorship: Michael Malual Dut has further extended his call on Bishop Moses to speed up the search for scholarship abroad for our young people who haven’t had such a golden opportunity to access quality education due to the longest war in the Sudan. We are financially crippled which is again fueled by the crisis of the 15th December2013.
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community would be highly respected, honored and valued because of what their son had done in the area. He said “I chief Dut Pakak Ayom will ask the only true God to be protecting him all the times in his working place and in his several trips abroad.” Chief Dut Pakak Ayom said this during the function with a smiling face towards Bishop Moses Deng Bol. He said “may God bless and protect you
Separately Chief Dut Pakak Ayom expressed his best wishes upon Bishop Moses Deng Bol by saying that Bishop Moses Deng Bol has been known as a son of a highly esteemed father Bol Akoon Dhal alone in particular but today he is our son we the age mates of his own father Bol Akoon Dhal in Awan Muorkuau community in general. In this regard all the elders of Awan Muorkuau
County Government Commits to Partnering By Rev Peter Angui Akook This is the Gogrial West County Commissioner Hon. Makuc Aru Luach Koor addressing the community during the launch ceremony of the new Primary Health Care Unit dedication day in the Nyieth area. The Commissioner extended huge thanks and heartfelt gratitude to Bishop Moses Deng Bol and the donors who worked with him in achieving this very important goal of building a health facility. The Commissioner assured the gathering of how confident he is in the Church leaders who
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always remain trustworthy. These are the people whose hearts are touched and charged with the serving principles of other vulnerable communities. The Commissioner reaffirmed what Bishop Moses Deng Bol said earlier, that it is a collective responsibility between the government and the Church to bring social services to the community. The Commissioner for the first time admitted that the Church is the lead agency in developing social services in our local communities across the County of Gogrial West and in Warrap State at large. For instance, the building of 40 Churches in the two States, borehole drilling in parts of Warrap and Tonj, agricultural activities in Western Bahr el Ghazal, supporting different schools and health facility buildings etc to mention just a few. Now that the health facility is built it is the government’s responsibility to bring police to protect this building from any external threats. It is the government’s responsibility to recruit more qualified people who would run the affairs of this PHCU, and not to forget mentioning medical supplies.
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He also said it is again our sole responsibility to extend the land for the PHCU so that it can accommodate the large number who would be coming in for medical attention. The Commissioner recalled what we believed in the ECS history of struggle to be the “dark days” by saying that this ECS Church has suffered a lot in the 1990s in the hands of SPLA Commanders who were beating them up and imprisoning them for no good reason. One community member reiterated that “the health infrastructure is indeed a healthy thing to my sight even before going there to be treated.” He quietly said this while Commissioner was still speaking. The commissioner said that “now is the time to forget what has gone wrong in the past and embark on a new chapter to develop our beloved young nation collectively. As a Commissioner I would prefer working in developing social needs in the area with the Church. Congratulations and Congratulations to Bishop Moses Deng Bol who brought this blessed gift of a health facility to the area!!” So concluded the Commissioner.
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National Platform for Peace and Reconciliation (NPPR) in Wau May 28th 2014 By Rev: Samuel Mabith
The (NPPR) was established to heal the problems around the whole of South Sudan to make peace and reconciliation. Their aim is to transform South Sudan so that people will come together in a deep culture of forgiveness, reconciliation, justice, peace, inclusivity and accountability. The mission statement for (NPPR) is “working collaboratively to create an inclusive platform to address historical and present grievances among South Sudan�. The Committee was established through a presidential Decree on 22nd April 2013 to work for healing, peace, and reconciliation. It was established as an independent body, led by Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul and Bishop Emeritus Paride Taban to facilitate an independent broad based national reconciliation process with the full participation of all sectors of society including traditional authorities, churches, Muslim leaders, NGOs, CSOs, women, youth, academia, political parties and others interested groups. Its executive committee is comprised of high level religious officials from different faiths and denominations, includes prominent national figures and has representation from CSOs, women, youth, and the disabled. Currently, it has national level presence and has state level sub-committees with appointed focal points in all 10 states. The
religious configuration of the organization presents unique opportunities, most notably the ability to cross the ethical divide, especially given the proven track record of the churches in resolving conflict. The national platform will work to construct a national dialogue for peace and reconciliation in every state in South Sudan. The NPPR have links with government and communities to heal, bring peace and reconciliation. The National platform for Peace and Reconciliation will work hard and find out what the problems are in South Sudan. For the institution cooperation, the management and staff from each of the organizations have come together to have links harmonize plans and develop a team spirit for future joint work. They gathered to select three important things, Assembly, Executive and Secretariat to take
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care of the National Platform for Peace and Reconciliation. These are the three relationships that will heal, bring peace and reconciliation as mentioned above. The leadership of the three institutions voluntarily establishes and launches the National Platform as a strategic base on peace and reconciliation. Over some months to come the leadership will grow in commitment to work collaboratively with a shared vision and strategic direction. The projects for all ten states are: • Prayer for peace • Peace conference • Peace mobilization
• Games and sports • Training for trauma counselors and others activities for peace
• Peace culture day
Sunday Adult and Accelerated Learning Centre An Equal Opportunity Centre for Everyone with Different Needs
This project is an ECS- Wau Diocese run adult and accelerated learning centre meeting the needs of unique individuals with the same educational needs. The centre aims at offering an environment conducive to where teenage girl and boys, youths and adults are given an equal opportunity to gain an education. The centre uses a curriculum designed by the Ministry of Education where two classes are covered in one year hence accelerating the learning.
and mothers who dropped out of school due to early marriages just to mention a few examples. The centre have set aside a day for sports where the students have time to interact with each other through games.
Stories from Students John
The centre currently has 67 students of which three quarters are female. They range from those who never had a chance to be in School before (and to them it’s a golden chance), those who are running self-owned small businesses
Once a professional driver, through an accident he is now confined to a wheel chair but the zeal for education isn’t gone, he hopes this will be a
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new chance for him to see a new moon in life at Sunday Adult and Accelerated learning centre.
My name is John Samuel Akech am 46 years old. I am married with six children . I was a driver in Khartoum and was involved in a very futile accident where I broke my legs and had to start life afresh as a disabled person. I studied Arabic’s in Khartoum and when I came to South Sudan there is need for me to know how to read and write English hence this is the reason I went back to school. I was able to support my own family while I was working as a driver now I cannot as am not able to move around. With the Education I believe that I will be able to do something that will support my family once again. I was in level one (Class 1&2) last year now am in level 2(class 3&4) and I look forward with lots of hope that I will complete my studies and be helpful to myself once again. I personally love to study at Sunday ALP centre as it is a Christian based institution and the teaching is very good. I am a different person compared to when I came last year.
Clara A Policewoman and a cherished mother that is aiming higher and eyeing a better position. Clara hopes to achieve just that after completing her studies at the Sunday ALP Centre.
My name is Clara Arac Valentino. I am married with five children and am 35years old, I am a police woman based in Wau, I know Arabic which I use for communication I can also read and write in Arabic.
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The main reason why I decided to go back to school at this time is that I never had a chance to go school when I was young, even though I had the desire to go school. I was recruited in to the police and have been working to support my family. Having the responsibility of children I couldn’t also go to school, now I am glad that I have a chance at Sunday Adult and ALP Centre where I can be able to learn how to read and write in English, which I believe can be a source of promotion in my place of work. I specifically love to study at Sunday because it’s a Christian based institution and most of the lessons are given with lots of seriousness, we are also taught Christian Religious Education which gives me more knowledge about my faith as a Christian.
Meeting a Need
Just the same as any project there are needs to be met so that it can be kept going. To meet this noble need the centre is currently run by five
volunteer teachers who have a passion to help in the Adult Learning Centre. We wish to request the friends of Wau Diocese to pray for these passionate volunteers so that they may be encouraged to keep on with the good work that they are doing. Financially the School has however estimated a tentative budget of 1,200 SSP an equivalent of 300USD per month making a total of 3600 USD for this academic year to take care of the centres operating needs. For the valuable work that it does this is a small amount. If you would like to contribute to keeping this centre open for more people to use please contact Bishop Moses Deng or the Wau Diocese Treasurer Mrs Clarice Achieng Mamer to find out how.
Bishop Moses: bishop@wau.anglican.org Clarice Achieng:treasurer@wau.anglican.org
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Perfecting a Passion Help and Support from Poole Deanery Perfect a Passion and a Talent is Fully Motivated The Nursery School is Better Than Ever.
By Rev Samuel Mabith Deanery links offer the chance to effect intimate relationships and exchange the kind of grassroots fellowship that is often not possible to achieve through funding bodies or charities. Through personal contact needs that may otherwise be overlooked can be met and lives changed. “I am better now and I do hope the sky is my limit!” These were the words of Priscilla the Nursery School teacher who was a beneficiary of training that was conducted by the Poole Deanery team when they visited Wau in March 2013. “I received some teaching materials in the form of books, cards and charts from the team and my teaching has been better than before. I do appreciate Rev Carol Langford for the time she spent with me while in Wau.” When asked why she opts to be a nursery
school teacher Priscila was quick to mention “I love being with the children and I feel fulfilled after having a good day in class with the children. I am an outgoing person and I just love children. Priscilla would very much like to thank Poole Deanery and Rev Carol in particular for their care and support. A Brief Word About Priscilla. Priscilla herself is a young mother of one, she underwent her primary education in Uganda but due to financial constraints she came back to South Sudan and has been teaching at the Nursery school since 2012. Priscilla is very hopeful that she will get a training opportunity to learn more about early childhood education so that she can be a better teacher with all the necessary knowledge. If you would like to help Priscilla please contact Bishop Moses.
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Piantok Basic School Girls Latrine Project Following an appeal to support a girls toilet project – schools in Poole Deanery UK contributed to help move the construction process a step ahead.
Piantok Basic School is a School under the control of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan-Wau Diocese which is located in the outskirts of Wau Town, Eastern Bank under Jur River County. In 2013 the school had 501 pupils among whom 139 were girls. The Girl’s Toilet Project: In 2013 there was an appeal to support the construction of a Girls toilet block. Looking at the statistics of the school for the past few years many girls register in Primary one l;evel but the number reduces when they reach primary five. The reasons for this being lack of sanitary towels so girls feel ashamed to come to school, the other
reason being shared latrines where the girls don’t feel comfortable using the same toilets with the boys. The school with its limited resources of development funds started an initiative last year to dig a pit latrine but was not able to get to the next process of covering the pit and building the necessary wall. Thanks to Poole Deanery and their support to the project the area where the pit was covered and plastered over in December 2013. This is a step further towards the completion and a very important step in that when this is not well done there is the possibility of the latrine collapsing, ruining the whole development and wasting all the money spent on it. Wau Diocese sought the expertise of well qualified contractors who did the
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work and do appreciate the continued partnership with Poole Deanery. So far the remaining part of the latrine building is the wall which has an estimated cost of 6835 South Sudanese pounds which is equivalent to ÂŁ1350 in UK currency. Bishop Moses and Piantok Basic School would very much like to thank Poole Deanery for enabling the work to go ahead in this important project.
Details to complete the project are tabled below. Item Bricks Sand Cement Timber 2x6 Timber 2x4 Timber 2x3 Nails Mud for construction (muna) Binding wire and iron bars Iron sheets Labour TOTALS
Unit Pcs Trips Bags pcs pcs pcs Kg
3000 2 8 9 6 10 5
0.25 300 125 30 25 23 22
Total cost SSP 750 600 1000 270 150 230 110
Trips
2
250
500
Assorted
1
825
825
12 1
75 1500
900 1500 6835
Pcs once
Quantity
Unit cost
If you can help us to complete this important project please contact either:
Bishop Moses: bishop@wau.anglican.org or Clarice Achieng:treasurer@wau.anglican.org
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A Successful Story By Rev Peter Angui Akook CARD the development wing of Wau Diocese has so far purchased fifteen (15) 100kg sacks of sorghum that make total of 1,500kg to be distributed to two hundred and forty two (242) farmers in Kangi payam in order to implement result 1 under staple crops. Each farmer was given just less than 6 and a half kilos (6.19kg) of sorghum. Also forty (40) 100kg sacks of groundnuts totalling four thousand (4000kg)was purchased to be distributed to two hundred and forty two (242) beneficiaries/farmers in Kangi Payam which is still part of the implementation of result 1 under staple crops. Each farmer was given just over sixteen and a half kilos (16.53kg) of groundnuts. Two hundred and forty two (242) Malodas (farming hand tools) were also purchased and distributed one to each individual of those farmers registered in Kangi Payam. Cassava stalks were to be given to the farmers during this season but were not yet purchased due to poor soil in the area. The whole number of farmers targeted at this time in the area was five hundred and sixty three (563) farmers. However, there were also five hundred and sixty three (563) rakes, axes and hoes purchased and distributed to the targeted individuals in Kangi Payam. In the lengthy interview carried out with the 242 strong group in Kangi most of them expressed their deep heartfelt gratitude to ECS-CARD in particular and ICCO in general for this valuable support of seeds, sorghum, groundnuts and tools. Most of them would have never been able to afford to buy even a single kilogram or a tool either. One old man said that “it is my first time to see someone giving me something that is non returnable in kind and be very much willing to continue shaping and supporting the skills and efforts
of someone to be able to produce for him or herself. What a good, inspiring and a constructive help!” He wondered. With a sincere and good heart if I would say “may God bless these people who offer us seeds, tools and skills to implement the project so that they continue shaping peoples’ skills and talents in the future”. Another woman representing a women’s group was expressing her confidentiality in securing a season of harvest in the upcoming months. “I believe with no doubt or beyond any doubt that there is going to be a good and successful harvest this year because we are given more than enough seeds on time and with a good rain fall that we are experiencing now. We couldn’t talk of harvest if enough seeds and tools were not given to us by ECSCARD. I appreciate ECS-CARD for the good timing in every season”
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Development Project Summaries Every edition of Renewal now features development project summaries that describe in brief projects that require funding. If it is possible that you may be able to assist us with a particular project full details of each project featured can be made available on request.
Safe Drinking Water and Sustainable Sanitation in Warrap State Goal: To reduce rates the prevalence of diarrheal diseases and improve access to quality safe drinking water among internally Displaced Persons and the resident community households in Warrap State. Objective: To provide sustainable boreholes with clean safe drinking water and strengthen IDPs and resident’s to effectively apply hygiene and environmental sanitation in Warrap State.
This will be done by drilling five boreholes and install hands pumps. Increase access to quality safe drinking water and hygiene/sanitation information. Strengthen the capacity of people to effectively address illness associated with waterborne diseases. Ensure women participate in addressing health issues in addition to peace building and conflict prevention as a cross cutting issue.
Peace and Advocacy Program Goal: The main goal of the project is to bring peace to conflict afflicted communities of Western Bahr El Ghazal and Warrap State regions. Objectives:
To conduct meetings and conferences with government agencies, political parties, traditional authorities, women, youth and any civil society organizations in the localities. To advocate for quick apprehension of criminals and speedy fair trial of cases in competent courts. To advocate for respect of human rights for all law-abiding citizens and foreigners living in South Sudan and abolish torturing of people under detention or anywhere. To advocate for good governance, inclusiveness, unity and democratic participation of citizens in their local affairs. To visit and support displaced people and refugees in any way possible.
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Contacting Us:
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By E-mail Diocesan Bishop Rt Rev Moses Deng Bol : bishop@wau.anglican.org Acting Diocesan Secretary Mrs Clarice Achieng : dio.secretary@wau.anglican.org General Enquiries Rev Samuel Madut : communications@wau.anglican.org Mother’s Union Mrs Mary John Garang : mucoordinator@wau.anglican.org A full list of diocesan staff with contacts can be viewed on our website. By Post: Hai Mozephin, Opposite Wau Teaching Hospital, C/o ECS Provincial Office, P O BOX 110, Juba, South Sudan By Telephone: Tel +211 926954187 or +211 955602769 +254 716641233
“O Lord we pray for the good health of our young nation and all the people in it. Help us to live well, respect one another and be at peace. Amen”.
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Please Pray With Us Pray for the hardworking clergy and volunteers of Wau Diocese who work without pay in difficult conditions.
Pray for the Archbishop of the ECSSS and current situation in South Sudan so that violence may be stopped and solutions to this issue found in peace. Pray for lasting peace in the border lands between Sudan and South Sudan, in Abyei, Blue Nile and the Nuba Mountains. Pray for the success of the transitional South Sudanese government. Pray for peace and forgiveness between all South Sudanese tribal cultures. Give thanks to God for the work of medical professionals bringing healing and education to the people of South Sudan. Pray for those affected by food insecurity because of the recent violence and bad harvest who are struggling to get enough to eat every day. Particularly pray for children and mothers. Pray for all people in our community in need of education particularly girls and young women. Give Thanks for organisations such as Poole Deanery in Salisbury Diocese that work alongside us as partners and friends. Pray for Alueldit the chairperson of the internally displaced people in our Diocese. Pray for the many South Sudanese people living in other parts of the world.
Church prayers needs Pray for our Bishop the Rt. Rev Moses Deng Bol, who works so hard for the Diocese, pray that God will help him to do what needs to be done. Give Thanks for the Wau Diocese pastors living away and studying. Pray for them to succeed in their efforts and enrich the life of our diocese. Pray for all our new pastors, priests, deacons and for all the new people who have made a commitment to God. Pray for the priests, pastors and church workers of Wau diocese struggling to bring God’s word to the people of Wau Diocese. Pray for all people in our diocese that give their time in positions of leadership. Pray St John’s Theological and community college and the work it does in our community. Pray the work of the Mother’s Union in Wau Diocese, especially with literacy and financial planning. Give thanks to God for the valuable work of CARD in our community and the development it brings to make life better for the future.